Flags are flying at half mast around the island again, and in my head I hear the rat a tat tat of machine gun fire so distinctly that when I parked at the store and heard that sound I ducked.  Thankfully, the sound came from a staple gun fastening shingles to the roof of the house across the street. Even cocooned in the nature’s beauty and warmth of community our island provides,  reality of  events elsewhere invade our hearts and minds. May we experience only the beginnings and the endings natural to life.

Elaine Fearnside calls our attention to the blooming of the Montauk daisies and the return of the Monarch and Viceroy butterflies, additional fall beauty to look for and enjoy.

Holly and Phil Smith enjoyed participating in the ceremony of love organized by Eric Sprague and his bride, their granddaughter, Evelyn (Evie) Smith. The wedding took place on the sloop, Frances, captained by Southporter Megan Jones. Cool but clear weather allowed the ship to sail toward a favorite island in Portland’s Harbor for the ceremony conducted by Eric’s long-time friend, Andy Love. Dad, Ted Smith, traveled from his current home in England for the festivities, which were also attended by Fran Pierce, mother of the bride.  

Returning to land and to the Sprague home, the wedding party and guests continued the celebration under a large tent, decorated with dahlias grown by Fran and the groom’s father, Phineas Sprague, the flowers also making up much of the bride’s bouquet. The couple, who met on a double date, will enjoy a honeymoon at Christmas time when they plan to travel to England.

Nearly 30 people enjoyed each other’s company at the Hendrick’s Hill museum last Sunday afternoon, catching up on summer activities, enjoying the museum’s exhibits, and the cider and donuts along with other nibbles.  I spend the time with Jean Hawley, hearing about her travels by car as far west as Glacier Park, visiting other national parks and monuments along the way along with forays into various colleges and universities. To me, her best story was trying to find the “Football Jesus” famous at Notre Dame. This search was not easy because the campus is completely fenced. You must enter through a guarded gate, and the guard said he could not give out maps. Nonetheless, through various machinations, Jean finally caught a glimpse of the mural, not a statue as she first expected.

Stopping by the Alpaca farm I met American Cordelia, Dilly for short, who was born July 31. A lovely light peach color, she is a cute, smaller version of her larger family. Anne passed along the news that her next peg loom weaving class will be Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. As there are only three seats left, go to the website quickly if you want a spot.  www.capenewagenfarm.com.

Kudos to Skip Simonds and Bill Messmer who lent their time and trucks to help former Southporter Dick Snyder to move from his apartment on the east side of the harbor to more spacious and tranquil housing on Route 27 near Cottage Connection. Even though Dick is living off the island, we hope he returns often.

Skip’s wife, Betsey, has begun to teach vocal music again to students in her home at Newagen and occasionally in schools. She plans to acquire about six private students.

The building along Pratts Island Road continues with a new home rising on the Rand property, a large addition growing on Cindy and John Smith’s house, and the Hurd family house moving toward completion. 

Our neighbors, Bruce and Edee Crosby, and ourselves have been seeing a beautiful bengal cat around our properties. We cannot discern whether it is wild or just roaming.  Let us know if this cat is yours so we can stop worrying about it.

Remember the free movie and nibbles at the Southport Methodist Church Saturday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. “Beauty and the Beast” will be your entertainment.

Next week Maria Doelp will be bringing us the Southport news again, so please send news to her at pdoelp@roadrunner.com. As always, a large envelope just inside the Island Store door is also a good place to place notes with news.